I am just amazed at how fast time goes…I have been up for over an hour and a half and made my list of must do’s for the day, spent some time in the Word (not enough that’s for sure…I feel like some days I could spend hours just reading, thinking and processing God’s Word. I glanced up at the time and realized I have allowed myself to get distracted way too much this morning…doing things that need to get done, but not prioritizing and sticking to what needs to be done first!!!

And my mind is all over the place from my devotionals this morning ~ so get ready for some random thoughts…in no particular order…

Lenten Season ~ Day 2…Pope Francis says “Lent comes providentially to awaken us from our lethargy.”

Is my inability to stay focused any different than a temptation, like Jesus was tempted…I face temptations…that chocolate bar in the drawer or flitting from one thing to another, not completing the task at hand before jumping in two feet into the next one. I think I am being “awakened” to pay attention to what I want to do, what I am doing and how I go about things.

One of the themes from Lenten Season Day 2 was being honest. A question was asked “Do I put out the “polished Ali” or do I allow myself to be vulnerable?” My goal is to be authentic in all I do, to be vulnerable to what, when, how the Lord wants me to live my life. And for the most part, I think I am. I know sometimes I share too much or too quickly but God is teaching me when to be quiet…that is hard for me. Lately I have found myself saying to me, Ali….stop, breathe, do I really want to say this or that and stepping away from the computer (talking) for a bit.

The other day I posted a memory on Facebook about helping those in need and got into a wild conversation with a family member. I was ticked she would accuse me of saying one thing and doing another…I stepped away from the computer. Prayed about how to respond, shared with Ron the conversation and then sat back down and responded. God reminded me in my devotions that it doesn’t really matter what she (the family member) thinks, it’s what I know, what God knows and what truth is. I am thankful for that interaction as it reminded me what is important…my relationship with the Lord, my word and actions…to be truthful in all situations.

Lenten Day 3 continues with

To continue to Love one another, to encourage one another as well as listen to one another as each of us face many struggles in our day…

Lately one of my struggles has been walking…my lower back has been hurting quite often. I called my doctor, he told me to stop taking one of my medications, keep pushing myself to walk at least once a day and touch base with him again next week. He says the new statin he put me on could be the culprit…we will see YET I will keep walking. Dr. T reminded me that walking for 15 minutes twice a day has the same benefit as walking for 30 minutes straight so my goal for this next week is to get out and walk twice a day, not just in the morning. I also have to remember that I am the only one that can get me out the door…well that and encouraging words from my friends & family 😁

As I continued reading this morning, I was reminded over and over that God is my refuge, He is who I need to run to (maybe just walk) to each and every day and in being my refuge, my protector and my Poppa…wherever I am He will always be. Reminds me of what Ron and I say “our home is where we park it.” God is my home wherever I am at…He is always with me!!! Thank you Poppa for loving me even as I get distracted, flit from one thing to the next, as I share my spastic prayers with you…thank you for loving me!!

Now to ask Poppa God to show me how to do all the things I want to do and the things I need to do and to remember everything happens in His timing not mine!

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How do you handle doing the things you want to do along with the must do’s?